It hit me. It ran out in front of me. >> What's your name? >> His tires are so bald that like the brakes went out. >> She was like going to sleep a little bit before I left the house. >> What can I have to do to get my daughter? When the car door struck the fence in Florida and when the hotel hallway in Illinois echoed with the footsteps of a 2-year-old girl, a picture emerged, children caught inable moments because of the circumstances surrounding their parents. In Florida, a mother kept insisting, "I'm not drunk." Yet, the scene revealed evidence that could leave her facing nearly 12 years in prison. >> What? I can't stand. On the afternoon of December 20th, 2023, a car collision prompted Sarasota police to rush to the scene. The caller reported that a woman driving with her daughter had crashed into a fence. At the scene, the mother began explaining while officers checked her documents and inspected the vehicle. >> All right, this is Stephanie. She was occupied with her daughter here. Both are denying any injuries. Um, she said she has no medical history. She said she has bad tires, kind of slick. There's a lot of traffic here. So, not requesting transport pres >> right where >> right on that street. >> Okay. >> I can just have him. My phone got smashed. So, I I don't have his number, so I'm just going to walk over there or go to Metro and get a new phone. >> I'm going to have you hang out here for a little bit. Okay. You have your insurance and your registration for the vehicle. Where were you headed? >> I I was going downtown cuz I have an appointment. >> Okay. Where do you have an appointment at? >> Work. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, um, and I was late, but I wasn't like speeding or anything, but I've never been down this this road before. I was just trying to make a shortcut. I was trying to turn. And look how bad our our tires are. Well, his tire car is in the shop. >> Okay. Whose car is this? >> This is my husband's, but I'm insured on it. Train registration. I'm probably late anyway now. >> Vincent's your husband? >> Yes, we'll call him. Is that it? Is that what you're looking for? >> Yep. No, this is perfect. >> I just called him. I just called our sign. >> Okay. >> She was in her car seat. >> Oh, yeah. Shock. >> And you had your seatelt on? >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. >> Always. All right. >> I So, you don't want me to call a tow truck? You said you have someone that'll tow it? >> Yeah, cuz it's like 50 bucks. >> Okay, >> you won't even he probably will only charge me. >> Nice. All right, cool. Well, I'm going to work on a crash report and start getting everything up and together. Um, since it was just you with the property damage, I think this is a city-owned gate, so I'll just document that. So, give me just a second if you guys just want to hang out. Oh, yeah. Can I before I go? So, what happened? >> I have an appointment downtown. I was late. I wasn't speeding. I'd never been down this road before. And I went to go turn, but his tire This is my husband's truck. His tires are so bald that like the brakes went out. >> You're saying the tires are bald? You didn't see the fence that was in front of you or what happened? >> Oh, I see. >> So, why why aren't you How fast were you going? >> Not fast at all. This is some serious damage to the fence. >> I was not going >> the father arrived shortly after >> my husband right there. >> Daddy, [Applause] don't worry. I like it. >> I have GPS in my car and his This is his truck cuz mine needs a new radiator and uh we have a mobile mechanic and he's collecting balloons off. So, I'm using Yeah, we've been together 15 years. She's older than me. >> It's our daughter, her biolog. >> Hi. It hit me. It ran out in front of me. >> What ran out in front of you? >> The fence. >> You all right, honey? >> She's fine, babe. >> Oh, yeah. What's she all right? >> We are fine. >> Everybody all right? >> What' you do? >> I cut down here cuz I was going downtown, babe. Down here. I know. And I didn't see I mean I seen it but I tried like >> in any other carence fence. >> So yeah that's it. >> Yeah cuz the front cuz you have frontwheel drive and the freaking >> it's not your fault. >> So that's total. >> It is. >> Yeah. >> So what we got now was a old 97 Ford. >> Oh you know what? I don't know what do you want me to do. >> Okay. >> I know. I know what happened. >> I'm not I'm not going to blow up. I'm not going to scream. As long as my baby's all right and you're okay. My baby's all right. That's all right. >> He provided additional details, helping officers piece together the bigger picture. >> Do you think she'd be able to do things? >> I don't think so. She's court right now. And she's checking in every day. Every day she's doing P. Well, no. Every day she's doing a meeting and every other Monday, Wednesday, Friday she does a a drop. So hard to get straight to a fence like this. >> It's to me too. To me, too, but She thinks her eyes. >> Yeah, but she's got a she has a psychiatrist. >> That's why I'm speaking. >> No, she does go to a psychiatrist and I went with her the other day and he changed her or her medications and she was like falling asleep a little bit before I left the house. I was going to go crab me. >> What medication did you take? >> I don't know what it's what it is, but it's too strong. I can tell you that right now. The doctor made a mistake cuz I told her I said whatever you're on. I tried to wake her up this morning and she was like really really hard to wake up. And I said, "What's wrong?" She goes, "I think the dose he gave me is too strong." And that's her doctor. It's her doctor that gave it to her. I don't think she's under any uh it's illegal, but I think that the sleeping pills that this doctor gave her are too strong. I do agree. >> This isn't even she's not even mark. >> She said the brakes failed. What did he put you on your doctor? Um >> your sleeping pill. >> Well, what did you tell me this morning? It was too strong. >> Oh, the test. She's not tired. >> Yeah, but you might not feel tired. >> The county D is not available. >> Although both parents denied that she had used any substances, officers decided to conduct a DUI test to ensure objectivity. >> Hi, Stephanie. So, I've completed my crash investigation based on the impact, based on everything. I've got all the information that I need there. >> Um, but now is the part where I'm changing hats. I'm going from a crash investigation to a DUI investigation. I do believe you're under the influence in narcotics or alcohol. So, I'm going to be doing a DUI investigation. >> Yeah, I'm not though. >> Okay. >> Can you do me a favor and just set that stuff down and then take your backpack off? >> Yeah. >> All right. >> You can set that stuff down right on the seat or you can put it in your backpack. >> Put in your backpack. >> See, then come right over here for me. >> Okay. Have you had anything to drink today? Any alcoholic beverages? You don't drink alcohol? Okay. Have you taken any narcotics in the last 12 hours? >> When I first got up this morning, I took one dazipine. >> Dazipine? >> Yeah, cuz I'm prescribed three a day. I took one this morning. I took one uh Soviet with noxin cuz that's what I'm prescribed. >> That's the like the tongue like the >> sublingual because I was on the stronger one. >> So dazipine and nlloxxone. When did you take your nlloxxone? >> In the morning, same time. I took my daspine. What time was that? >> 8:00. >> 8:00. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Have you taken anything else since then? Cuz it's 4:30 and you still seem a little out of it. You see your eyes are drooping as I'm talking to you. You're having trouble standing straight up. >> I'm not having trouble. >> All right. Well, you leaning on the car when I first started talking to you. So, you have not taken anything since 8:00 a.m. this morning when you took your prescribed diazipene and nlloxxone. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I think I really would take my daughter in the garbage. >> I don't know. But I do know that fire called us because you were slurring your speech and you seemed intoxicated. The only thing that I have to go off of here my speech went >> when you're talking to them and you're still kind of slurring it a little bit now. Plus the contact. >> That's how I talk. >> There's also no skid marks. You straight through a fence. >> There's no turn. You didn't try to turn. Nothing. The way that you're acting. I'm just going to evaluate for DUI, but I'm going to grab some stuff out of my vehicle. We're going to run you through some field sobriety tests. Pass all those. We'll get you on your way. Okay. So, you said you're kind of like this, but you're also been prescribed a lot of medication. Even though you're prescribed it, that doesn't mean you can drive on it. You know what I mean? >> Wait, but no, I took my sleeping pills last night. They don't leave me groggy in the morning or anything. So, >> okay. All right. Just sit tight for me right here. Okay. >> The tests were carried out one by one. During the process, officers noted that the mother showed difficulty completing the tasks as instructed, which ultimately led them to move forward with an arrest. >> First test I'm going to do or the first exercise I'm going to do is called the horizontal gaze and stagmas. So, are you wearing glasses or are you wearing contacts? >> No. >> Okay. I'm going to check your eyes. Guys, I need you to stand with your feet together with your hands by your side, just like this. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, you're going to stand like this. Hands by your side. You're going to do that until I tell you to stop. Okay. Hands right here by your side. Okay. You're going to look at the stimulus. Stimulus is going to be my pen. Okay. You're going to look right at the tip of my pen. >> Mhm. >> Right. >> Just right here. Yep. >> Uh-huh. >> Oh, you want to follow it? >> So, right here, you're going to follow the tip of my pen. You're just going to keep looking at the eye. Don't turn your head. Just use your eyes. Okay. Okay. Yeah. >> All right. You're going to put your left foot on the line. Put your right heel against the toe of your left foot like this. So, left foot on the line, right foot in front like this. Okay. You're going to put your arms down at your side like this. You're going to stay like that until I tell you otherwise. Okay? So, do that now. >> Left, right, left. >> So, left foot on the line, >> right foot in front of it with your heel touching the toe. >> Okay. >> Now, you put your hands down at your side just like the other test. You're just going to stay like that while I read you the instructions. Okay. Yeah, these are your shoes. So, >> okay. Do you understand? I need you to stand like that until the test starts. Okay. >> I'm sorry for not starting it. >> So, left foot in, >> right foot in front, >> hands down at your side. >> You're not walking yet. You're just standing. >> Not that clear. >> Okay. I need you to just stand just like this. >> Oh. >> Left foot on the line, right foot in front, >> hands down at your side. >> Okay. >> Okay. I need you to stay like that while I read you the instructions. Okay. >> I'm nervous, too. >> If you fall off the line, just go right back to your starting point. I just got to an accident. So, okay, go straight to >> All right. When I tell you to start, you're going to take nine heel to toe steps on the line. Turn and take nine heel to toe steps back down the line. >> One to your side. >> Hands on your side. Heel to toe. >> Okay. Let me Can I go up? >> Sure. 1 2 3 4 >> 5 1,001 1,002 >> Look at your toe. >> Huh? >> Look at your toe. >> Oh, I'm so 100,002. I can't stand on one leg. >> Just keep going. If you fall down, just put it pick it right back up. >> 1 1,002. So, you see his driver side mirror or passenger side mirror? >> I need you to just turn and face and stand and stare right at that mirror. >> Uhhuh. >> So, stand just like this. >> Uhhuh. >> Do face the mirror. >> Now, you don't have to walk over there. Come here. This mirror right here. >> Oh, I forgot. >> Nope. Passenger side. And then put your hands behind your back. >> You're under arrest for smitting a deal. >> Really? Hi. [Music] >> I'm having you under the influence. >> Okay. >> Is my husband over there? >> Yeah. I think my partner's going to talk to him now. >> The information was relayed to the father along with the specific reasons. During this time, he repeatedly stepped in to defend his wife. >> You want to put your daughter in the truck? You can, but she's going to go with us today. Okay. She's unrest under some influence. She's not able to do any of the tests. She's failing them. >> I honestly do believe it's that sleeping pill. >> And if that's the case, then she's also not supposed to be instructed to take sleep pills while driving. No half dose. I mean, I don't know if she took a he >> but I don't feel comfortable letting her go when she had a daughter. Not saying she would do will ill will to her, but >> No, I know. >> With where the breaking point where she hit that fence, it is like the last minute. She drove right through that fence. >> It looks swinging that way, too. >> There's no skid marks here. She just drove right through the fence. She's She's unable to do any of the tests. >> She can't do any of them. I was wondering if she is. >> She cannot do them. She's failed at some point in >> Okay, so now she's in court >> now. She can't get out of business or nothing. >> I don't know. She needs to get with She's probation officer. I assume she needs to get with probation. >> She's not on probation. She's >> Okay, so that's fine. Let's just get out of the road. Um DUI is misdemeanor, so she should have a bond. She just Yeah, but when you're in for >> that that I that that I don't that I don't know. >> I know she was going to see. >> We did about four or five tests for >> She can't do anything. >> No, she's not been she's not passing. >> I tell you what, this morning I went into wake her up cuz she sleeps with her >> and she just it's like a zombie. >> She's kind of like And if it's the medication, you need to go with the psychiatrist and explain to her what's going on. But we we're not I'm not a psychiatrist. He's not a psychiatrist. >> I believe it is. So, we can only go based on what evidence we have. >> I know she had a problem and I know that she's been good since she got arrested twice. The second time she got arrested, I called the cops. >> The mother insisted several times saying, "I didn't do anything and I'm not drunk." While attributing the situation to her phone and her daughter. >> I don't know. >> Stand right here. Just lean up against the girl. >> I talked to my husband. I didn't even do anything. >> Well, you drove through a fence and you just failed the sobriety test. So, >> I'm not drunk. >> Okay. I messed up. Like, you know, I'm going to miss my daughter's Christmas. >> I don't think you'll be in jail till Christmas, but don't make that decision. All right, since you're detained, I'm going to ask you some more questions, but you have rights while I do so. So, I'm going to read them to you. Um, you have the right to remain silent. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us now? >> About what? I just told you. >> I know. Do you want to talk to me? That's part of the questions is yes or no. Do you want to talk to me? >> Yeah, I can talk to you now. >> I know. I just Now that you're in custody, you do have rights. I like to make sure that I read. I know, but I'm not messed up. >> So, this morning at 8:00 a.m. >> Yeah. >> You took what? >> I took a dazipam, a a 5 mg. I'm prescribed it. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And the suboxin. Okay. >> That's the sublingual nlloxxone. >> Yes. >> Okay. And you haven't taken anything since then at 8? >> No, I don't drink. No. >> What's the usual effects for your dioipan? >> I just got put on it. >> Are you used to it? Have you taken it a lot? I know your husband said that you have some issues that they overdosed you. They were taking too much. >> No, the sleeping pills I was taking before. >> Okay. But you you haven't had any issues. They told you you can drive. >> Yeah, they told me. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, I was fine. >> Okay. All right. Were you distracted by anything as you were driving before you hit the ran into the fence or you just >> I was calling on my phone and she's always distracting me. Give me your phone. Let me give her a phone. Watch cartoons. >> Yeah. >> Why'd you go this way? cuz I was trying to do a cut um a shortcut because it's traffic and I was late. >> Okay. >> To be certain, officers searched the vehicle and discovered several items suspected of being linked to unlawful activity. However, the mother claimed to have no knowledge of them. Hey, you Miranda? >> Yes, >> you did already. >> Y ask her about about that. >> What's that? >> I don't know what this My husband has a thing. I just found a job. That's an old wallet. This is not your wallet. >> That's It was in the purse that you were wearing. >> My old wallet. >> Be truthful. >> Yeah. Now's the time to be honest. >> Yeah, it was probably in there. >> And I probably didn't clean that side out, honestly. Seriously. >> What's in it? >> Nothing. >> Empty. >> So, from the last time they I got arrested. >> So, what do you use that? What's the syringe for then? Why is it in your purse still? >> When I got a job, my husband cleaned out all my I left my purse at home. >> See how it looks though? You get You'll be able to get that. Now how it looks at America. >> So you take dasipam. >> Yeah. >> And there's Xanax. >> They're Xanax. You have Xanax mixed with what's the other one? >> Dazipam. >> So you put the daspan, the Xanax in there together. Why? >> These are both benzo. He gave them to me and said, "Put them in my truck." >> When was the last time you took these? >> What? >> Zan Xam >> and the Xanax. >> I'm telling you, Xanax. I see D. >> I'm asking you when the last time you took these. I'm asking you because I wasn't around 8:00 this morning. >> What about the the lock? >> You already found a needle. I have some grill. Am I going to find any other paraphernalia in here? >> Like, be honest with you. No, I don't think so. I >> saw in the purse that you were wearing. Okay. >> Yeah, it's the purse. It's new. >> So, there's no I'm not going to find any of the paraffin in there. >> No. >> Okay. Well, you said no about the needle after that. Just check 49. [Applause] >> Naturally, the father was not entirely free from involvement. >> In the vehicle there is no there is nobody. >> That's correct. >> Legal or illegal? Well, there was a needle in her purse and then mix of she says benzo in her prescription. Did you mix Xanax with her prescriptions? >> I don't do nothing like that. >> She said you did. So >> mix Xanax with her prescriptions. >> Yeah. So she has a prescription and in that prescription there's other pills. We don't have I have Xanax. I do. >> Possible that she's taking your Xanax. >> It's possible >> cuz her there's pill bottles that are marked for whatever. Then there's it's mixed with other pills that she says she took from you or got from you and you put the pills in with her stuff. >> I never put in anything. She might have got actually sand in my seat. >> Okay. >> Would you guys mind waiting by your truck? Not a problem. >> Based on the evidence collected, officers conferred and reached a decision regarding the mother. >> Sealed bottles of alcohol. She hasn't drank them, but I don't know if she's combining her pills with the alcohol. Yeah. Cold some brillow, a needle, and then in this we have some more brittle brittle and um box cutter. We'll put all that in a baggie. I'll just put it all in this familiar. Then she told me that Oh, you were there. She said that he put the Xanax in the bottle. He said I don't do that, but she has access to my safe where I keep my Xanax, so she might be taking it from me, which makes sense. Those fall something. >> There's something off and I She's probably I told her I'm probably going to ask for urine if she blows zeros. She's willing to >> Yeah. >> do that, but I'll read her imply consent at the jail. >> As more details came to light, the father began to show disappointment toward his wife. >> What's up? >> I'm going to call a toe and have a good towed up in a second, but I'll let you grab what you need. Stuff in the trunk. Is that what you need? >> Yeah. Trunk. I just want to let let you know um in the bag in her purple purse, she did have a needle. >> Yeah. Can she come? >> I don't want to say this in front of her. Just we can talk right here. One second, honey. Okay. >> Right there. Well, I'm not going anywhere. >> So, she had a needle in one of her purses. I don't know if it was used or not. She's saying it's old, but I'm not. >> It might be cuz that's the rest she had. Some girl was with her. >> The purse, a small little satchel purse or coin purse or whatever was in the purse that she was wearing. I don't >> And there was something in that >> and it was needle she was wearing. Um well that's yeah we found some burllo another bag for sure more like for consist co okay yeah and then she had another small bag of more brilliant >> I just wanted to be transparent you know >> so this is what she got arrested for last time >> two bottles of unopened vodka and crown in there >> that's not me >> I know it's not open I don't know if she's mixing her medication with alcohol cuz that's also an indicator >> she just told me she bought liquor stamp >> she did buy liquor she bought a bottle of vodka and crown. It's not open. >> She don't drink. >> She's mixing. >> She don't drink though. >> Why would she buy? >> I don't know. That's what I'm confused about. >> I don't know if she's having a binger. >> She's been on it. See, she she relapsed about 6 months ago. Her friend went to the funeral. Turns out the girl she went to the funeral with in Northport was a junkie and got her eye back on. And I've been going through nightmares. I've been going through hell. >> This isn't the first time we dealt with people doing behind their significant other's back. It's not unusual to me to hide something, especially history being arrested, kid, stuff like that. >> No, she's she's got arrested twice. Now she's a I thought she was keeping her nose clean. I thought >> between the testing and the indicators in the vehicle, you know, >> I totally agree with you. She looks guilty. >> She's she's going to go I'm going to get a toe, but if you want to >> Before taking the mother to the station, officers allowed them to speak with each other. Yet, instead of admitting faults, she kept giving reasons while her husband expressed his frustration. So, just confirming those two bottles of alcohol. You haven't had anything else to drink other than >> I did not drink it. >> Okay. Had no alcohol today at all. >> Okay. Do you have any explanation for why you can't do the sobriety test? Why your eyes are so droopy? Why your eyes are so bloodshot? >> I'm crying. >> Well, they've been bloodshot since I met you, Stephanie. >> I don't get much sleep. My three teeth. It's a different kind of sleeping, though. >> Okay. >> I figured you were going to be crying. I don't know what happened, but they found stuff they shouldn't have found. Yes, but I didn't see it. >> I know that. What's your name? Threw something under the seat last week when you got arrested. I do know that, but I don't know what what else. Why'd you buy liquor? >> Cuz I'm better for you. >> Enough. I don't drink no more. >> Anyway, listen. Being you're on court, this is going to throw you out now. >> I don't know. >> Well, >> don't look at it all. I'm sure >> I don't know if it automatically disqualifies. >> Call your counselor. >> I have a bond. I don't know if you'll have a bond. I'll bond you out if I can. For Christmas, I'd like you home. Got >> to pop off. >> But you can't do the test. They have a sobriety test. >> Oh my god. I have these new sneakers on. Babe, >> you want my sneakers? I got to I'll give you my sneakers. I just bought a new pair last night. We were shopping. You want sneakers? They're going to give me slides. >> It's fine. She's blaming the shoes, but >> Oh. Oh. >> Ter break to make you go. >> You were supposed to be to see Danielle. >> Yeah, I was running away. No, I can't hear. I can't hear the crap. >> You was distracting me and everything else. >> We'll get through it. You know, you got to just >> We'll get through it. >> We'll get through it. You know that. >> I appreciate it. >> We'll get through it. Thank you, Deputy. I mean, officer, >> it's all right. >> We'll get We'll get through this and things going to change. I don't know what happened. I don't know if Goldman overdosed you on that stuff or gave you overmedicated you is what it could be. That he just gave you too much of that sleeping pill, which still is illegal. This is still a DUI, babe. It's a DUI if if he gave you a sleeping pill. >> Okay. All right. We got to get rolling. So, >> okay. I'm taking everything. I'm I'm going to have him tow it to my yard if I can. >> I'll get you out if I can. Babe, it's Christmas. >> Show me the job. 2020 Main Street. >> Yes. >> You took D as a pan at 1:00. >> Okay. You took D as a pan at 1:00 today. >> Yes. >> Okay. Not 8 a.m. like you lied to me earlier. >> I mean 8 a.m. >> Okay. Yeah, that's what I thought. >> Just wanted to make sure I got that on camera for you. >> The mother was taken into custody on charges of act of a child without great bodily harm, DUI with property damage, DUI less than or equal to 0.15 with a minor in the vehicle, and possession of drugs without a prescription. Under Florida law, if convicted, she could face up to 11 years and 9 months in prison, along with fines of up to $13,000. Prescription drugs do not guarantee safety. When children are in the car, responsibility is even greater because a single wrong decision can cost freedom, trust, and the love of innocent lives behind the wheel. Florida was only the opening act. Next, the scene shifts to Illinois with the central figure being a 2-year-old girl wandering inside a hotel. >> They going to sleep, waking up. On April 18th, 2024, in Skoi, Illinois, a girl about 2 to 3 years old was found walking unattended inside a hotel. Staff searched repeatedly for her parents, but were unsuccessful, eventually calling police. When officers arrived, they quickly identified the mother, but she appeared panicked and uncooperative. Okay. Don't Don't >> We're going to find out. >> Please confuse. What's your name? >> What am I on for? >> You have the rest. >> Can you please give me something to drink? Can you please give me something to drink? Can get my purse card. Please get that pep roof. I need something to drink for I got bad anxiety. I just need something to calm down cuz my needle. It's brand new. And just give me something to drink. Please. I'm trying to control. I know how to control. That's how I control. >> Yes, sir. >> Come on. Come on. >> Hold on. Hold on. >> If you can't afford an attorney one, can you provide it to before question? >> No. Come on. Give me some more. >> Can give me some more, please. Can I get some more, please? Please give me a lot. >> I can't breathe. >> You want an ambulance or no? >> It's 2016. >> Can I call my brother, please? >> We can make phone calls at the station. >> What am I going to jail for? Where's my daughter? Your daughter's in DCFS. >> No. >> Well, you have your daughter. >> I didn't. I was in the car asleep. I sleep. I think I've been her. My daughter is my life. Can I cook my >> borrow the bag so she can put her stuff? >> Where's my daughter? Where is that? >> You took her to the DCFS field. >> Where is that? >> We'll give you all the information. >> Please, I need to call my brother. I need to call somebody. Please. >> What happened? Can you tell me what happened? >> No, I need to know my daughter. >> I need to know if she okay because I went to I went to sleep. >> Very quick. Make sure you have nothing on you. >> Is she okay? >> It's a half. >> Where is that at? >> We will explain everything. >> Is this your heart? >> Yeah, this is like a car. I didn't go here. >> She's fine. Okay. Where is she at? >> I went to sleep in my car cuz I was What the [ __ ] >> Put your shoes back in. >> Yeah, I'm trying to please put them on for me, please. >> We can fix that at the when we get to the station. Okay, >> can you stop, please? That hurt. It's hurting my arm. I am big. Like, for real. >> You big like this? >> Yes. Even after being placed in the patrol car, she kept insisting on seeing her daughter. >> I got to call my baby. >> Ma'am, can you tell me what's going on? >> The other officer will give you more information than I can give you. Hold on. Give me a second. >> I went to sleep in my [ __ ] car. Is my daughter doing okay? >> Yeah, she's okay. >> What happened? I really don't know what happened. >> Ma'am, I just started my shift. So, all I know is that I'm transporting you to the station. station right here. >> Yeah, it's right here. Yeah. >> Please, where is my daughter? >> She's in Deerfield from what? From what? >> How far is that? From here? >> 15 minutes, I want to say. >> Is she okay? >> She's okay. She's okay. The officer you were talking to is our sergeant and he's the one that told you that she's in Deerfield. She's okay. I take his word >> because I was I went to sleep. I was smoking and went to sleep in my car. >> I don't know. >> I was smoking. He went to sleep in my car like a dumb that should have went back in my room. That's what I did. I should have even smoked off cementing door 8. >> Your time is 7:29. >> The mother claims she did not intentionally her child, but that she had taken controlled substances and caused her to fall asleep in the car. >> Watch your step coming up. I will come back to the building in my daughter. >> They can explain everything. Can you listen? >> Please go here. I can help you. The bench is right over here. Just watch the step right here. Walk in through the doors and the bench is to the right. Just have a seat right there. Make sure it's all right. >> She's okay. She's okay. Right. >> She's all right. >> She's okay. That's all I'm thinking. They going to the store. They trying to smoke some we going to sleep. Waking up. >> You going to walk up to this wall? >> What am I arrested for? >> I'll explain everything. >> I don't know what's going on. I was shopping. >> I'm going to take these off, but just give me some. Okay. Just separate your feet for me. Okay. >> I woke up. I had to pee. Went to the gas station. >> What's your first name? Alexandria Washington. >> Alexandria Washington. Okay. Let her search you. We're going to go in that room and we'll talk. Okay. >> Please don't be going to sleep in the car. >> Do you have a shirt underneath this hoodie? >> Yes, I do. >> You do? >> I do on my heart. I don't understand. You can tell she always with me every going to sleep. And I just woke up. I got an alarm on my phone. I got my alarm on my phone to wake me up every day at 7:00 a.m. And that's what just woke me up. I'll explain everything, man. >> I know. I just got to do it. I got to do it. >> I need myself. >> Stop breaking some more for me. >> Can you please help me with my shoes? >> Yeah. Never had nothing like this. >> Any other jewelry other than this ring that you have? >> Right. In my face. In my earrings. We don't have nothing else. >> Yeah. Can I have the ring? I'm going to put it with the rest of you. Jacob, your uh your earrings. Despite her constant crying and explanations, she still had to undergo the required testing and search procedures. >> My daughter understand how do I get my daughter like your face is not nothing to play with. Because I went to sleep in the car because I went to sleep in the car. >> Can you take off that sock? >> Please call my brother. Can my brother get my daughter? >> I have to call the first. I'm going to need to talk to you in there because I need her in. I got none of I I don't have your info. I don't have your daughter's info. >> I went to sleep and all this cuz I went to sleep. Call her cuz I went to sleep. >> I'm going to let you make as many phone calls as you need, but first I need to get the information from you over here. You put >> my brother get my daughter, please. >> You please. I need my keys to my car. >> He has to contact you. She don't belong in there. I never been in my daughter if you ask anybody. She always with me. I just can't smoke in that room. And I pulled out so [ __ ] wouldn't watch me smoke. And I was smoking. I went to chair black and went to sleep. I go parking lot. You know where you go at? P we went there to give me some pool and I smoke and I sit there with the sleep and my alarm. Only thing that just woke me up is my alarm. I got alarm for 7:00 a.m. every day. This baby makeup going to have to pee. I don't want to pee. I This even took me a couple more minutes because I had to fast somewhere for me to pee to be so bad. >> If you still need to use the bathroom, put your side and then you go to the bathroom. >> I would never abandon my daughter going to sleep in the car. Don't close until 12 a.m. You can look at cameras. I've been sitting in. >> You can put them. >> Yes, sir. over here. We're going to go in this room and we'll talk. >> Do you Do you have to use bathroom? >> I do. But no, I don't even I don't know what's going on. >> We'll get to that. We'll get to that. We're going to go this way. >> Okay. Well, you're going to wash your hands. Put your hand here and you're going to put >> Okay. Can you take this one off? >> Can't take it off. At the same time, police tried to contact relatives to provide temporary care for the child before DCFS got involved. >> All right, we're going to come in around this way. >> That's not going to be a problem. >> Oh my god, bro. I don't understand. That's my whole heart. I would die. >> What's your brother? >> Can I call my >> Yeah, right here. >> for a second. >> You take a [ __ ] It's not here. >> You're not, are you? Are you calling for McDonald's? >> Just hit read out. Hang up and hit read out. >> Is it not worth it? >> No, ma'am. >> My phone, buddy. >> Your phone? It's in my car. Let me wait for him to come back and I'll go get it. Okay, I'm going to grab her bag from my car. >> It's just cold. >> Oh, is that the mom? No, I thought that was >> Did you write that down? >> I don't know the mom. >> I don't I have no idea. I don't know. They came and they picked her up. >> Who they talking? >> I don't know. I didn't say dear. I don't know where to >> tell me different. >> Oh, okay. So, my sergeant told me the wrong is it a felony of a child. >> Do you want me to do that while you do your report? >> Have to look up your IR before I call. [Music] >> I just prefer to work back there. >> I understand. >> Get my baby. Please give my baby. I just need you. and my daughter me. I don't want you to worry about me. Just get my daughter. I don't want you to worry about me. I'll do what I got to do. Don't worry about me. >> What's the other number that you're calling? I got to make a note of it. >> This my brother's >> Oh, you're calling your brother again. Okay. >> What's your mom's phone number? >> Okay. >> And your brother lives in Arizona? >> No. Okay, >> you can look at your phone. >> Yeah, I got it. I got it now. >> Well, you can grab the phone number from your phone, but you got to use the the phone on the wall. >> While officers discussed how to proceed, the mother nervously called her brother to explain the situation. >> Give it to you, >> brother. I've been calling you. I'm in jail, man. All right. And then the ASA came out and then they were like, "Yeah, it >> initially was the O'Hare." He used to do felonies. >> And then it was this guy named Alter. >> Nice little >> guy like early 30s. He was very nice. >> What' you say? >> He's very good. >> So you sit in with him while he's interviewing her. >> You're sit in. He does like a cold off camera >> up in. And then they redo it with the camera on. >> What' you say? >> Where in the >> We did it in the girl. >> She don't know. They going to charge me with something a child. >> Oh, it was his it was his report. >> I don't know. Am I going to be able to have another call or No, >> your car. >> Another call. >> Call. >> Oh, yeah. I'm waiting for a call from the States attorney. So after that call, I got to put you back in the room so I can handle that call. We'll let you make as many calls. >> Okay. >> I just need that phone number that you called. >> I appreciate you, bro. Thank you. [ __ ] He just reaching my door. >> Can he call back? >> Uh to that to that number >> 920 let me know what's going on. Is that okay? >> Yeah, that's okay. Or you can call him back at some point. >> Okay. If you don't call back, I'm calling you back in 10. Okay. All right. Bye. Even so, police ensured her rights were protected and treated her with humanity. We're going to put you back in the room for a little bit. Are you hungry? >> Yes, I got to throw up. >> You got to throw up. Want some water? I'll get I'll get you a cup of water. >> At any point you need an ambulance, you let me know. We'll get one. Are you okay? >> I got to check this out. >> Do you have an undershirt? >> Yeah, she does. >> I just don't want you to be nude out here. >> You said what? >> I'm going to grab her sharpen and >> Oh, >> you okay? You need to step up. >> So, I've got a phone call from >> She can take this one, right? She can take this one. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And you have McDonald's coming. Okay. I do have to handcuff one of your hands cuz you're >> Please help. >> No, I know. But because you're here alone, I got to handcuff one of your hands. The one left. >> The mother identified as 27year-old Alexandria S. Washington was taken into custody on a charge of child endangerment. Under Illinois law, she could face up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500. What do you think would be a fair sentence if she's convicted? Share your thoughts in the comments below. A mother now faces the loss of her freedom and beyond that her children missing the care they deserve. This is not only a story about the law but also a reminder of our responsibility to the little ones. What do you think is the balance between strict punishment and giving someone a chance to make things right? Share your thoughts in the comments and don't forget to like and subscribe to stay with us. See you tomorrow. [Music]